Moth Blenny

Diagnosis: The strong modal fin-ray count of D-XXI,17 sA-24 P-14 with 38 total dorsal-fin elements indicates Ekemblemaria nigra, endemic to Panama and Colombia. The Acanthemblemaria mostly have fewer dorsal-fin soft rays; those that reach 17 soft rays have more anal-fin rays, with the only exceptions an occasional individual of A. aspera, a rare A. spinosa, and a few Emblemaria pandionis who may reach the lower limit for E. nigra at D-XXI,16 (but all of the aforementioned have 13 pectoral-fin rays). Hemiemblemaria simulus and Protemblemaria punctata share the 14 pectoral-fin rays but have slightly fewer anal-fin rays. Some populations of E. nigra are noted to have frequent individuals with only 12 segmented caudal-fin rays (like the A. aspera complex). (DNA) Description: 84624a n7 62c

Species distinguished by: head rugose anteriorly; top of head never spiny; tip of lower jaw not projecting beyond tip of upper jaw and without fleshy projection; segmented dorsal-fin rays 11 to 18; total dorsal-fin elements 37 to 39; no stripe or series of dark blotches on head and body; one row of teeth on each palatine bone. Common amongst Chaenopsids: small elongate fishes; largest species about 12 cm SL, most under 5 cm SL. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and sometimes laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with canine-like or incisor-like teeth anteriorly; teeth usually also present on vomer and often on palatines (roof of mouth). Dorsal-fin spines flexible, usually outnumbering the segmented soft rays, spinous and segmented-rayed portions forming a single, continuous fin; 2 flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to position of pectoral fins, with 1 spine not visible externally and only 2 or 3 segmented (soft) rays; all fin rays, including caudal-fin rays, unbranched (simple). Lateral line absent. Scales absent (Ref.52855).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 1118; Analspines: 2

Ekemblemaria nigra, the Moth blenny, is a species of chaenopsid blenny found in coral reefs around Colombia and Panama, in the western Atlantic Ocean. It can reach a maximum length of 4.2 centimetres (1.7 in) TL.